More about Cora Alice Ready: Cora Alice Ready (1842-1890) was born and grew up in Tennessee. Although her family lived in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Cora Alice, who went by “Alice,” attended the Patapsco Female Institute in Ellicott City, Maryland during the Civil War. Alice’s sister, who may be the “Sis” she mentions in this diary entry, married Confederate General John Hunt Morgan in December 1862. In her diary, Alice described her thoughts and experiences while attending school, visiting New York, and at home in Murfreesboro.

I have not written for several days — Sis and the children came up last Thursday — she is not very well and our time has all to be devoted to her. However I have lost nothing — no important events have transpired — there have been numberless rumors, most of them without the slightest foundation. From the account which Sis gives our little bourrough is tho not the only place where Madame Rumor is so busy — and in Nashville the space is so much larger. For a moment I was a good deal provoked when she told us that it was going the rounds, that we were toasting the Federals, and had them for regular beaux. There is a young lady thus who thinks I have cut her out, (to use an ugly expression) of Gen. Hardee, from the fact that Miss Hadly who has just returned from the South — says it from this reason the former report is kept flying – and magnified I suppose each time it is repeated. I must confess it does annoy me and yet very foolishly, for if it does reach the ears of my dear Army friends, it cannot injure me in their estimation and what more need I care for! those who love me most will not believe it.

Sis brought me a very handsome plain gold ring from Lawson — with his name as I have written it inscribed inside — He was at the fight at Fort Donelson, went down on business before starting he got this ring, and gave it to his Mother for me. said he did not know what might happen, he might never return — I was inexpressibly touched by this act of remembrance, thinking of me at this time, evinced a strength of attachment — and depth of devotion, which I had not suspected. Under other circumstances I should not have accepted a ring from a gentleman – as it is this one shall be kept and valued as it deserves. The donor who is loved as a dear Brother, and myself may never meet again. should such be the will of my Father in Heaven, his ring will be prized even more highly.

I enjoy so much having the children with us. they are certainly the best I ever saw – and dear little Richie never tires of carressing his “Dallie,” as he calls me.

Monday April 28th 1862

I have not written for several days — Sis and the children came up last Thursday — she is not very well and our time has all to be devoted to her. However I have lost nothing — no important events have transpired — there have been numberless rumors, most of them without the slightest foundation. From the account which Sis gives our little bourrough is tho not the only place where Madame Rumor is so busy — and in Nashville the space is so much larger. For a moment I was a good deal provoked when she told us that it was going the rounds, that we were toasting the Federals, and had them for regular beaux. There is a young lady thus who thinks I have cut her out, (to use an ugly expression) of Gen. Hardee, from the fact that Miss Hadly who has just returned from the South — says it from this reason the former report is kept flying – and magnified I suppose each time it is repeated. I must confess it does annoy me and yet very foolishly, for if it does reach the ears of my dear Army friends, it cannot injure me in their estimation and what more need I care for! those who love me most will not believe it.

Sis brought me a very handsome plain gold ring from Lawson — with his name as I have written it inscribed inside — He was at the fight at Fort Donelson, went down on business before starting he got this ring, and gave it to his Mother for me. said he did not know what might happen, he might never return — I was inexpressibly touched by this act of remembrance, thinking of me at this time, evinced a strength of attachment — and depth of devotion, which I had not suspected. Under other circumstances I should not have accepted a ring from a gentleman – as it is this one shall be kept and valued as it deserves. The donor who is loved as a dear Brother, and myself may never meet again. should such be the will of my Father in Heaven, his ring will be prized even more highly.

I enjoy so much having the children with us. they are certainly the best I ever saw – and dear little Richie never tires of carressing his “Dallie,” as he calls me.